The McDonough County Board's road and bridge committee voted Thursday to recommend board approval of a federal agreement to finance the reconstruction of the Colmar Bridge.

County Engineer Tom Hickman said a federal grant would cover $400,000 of the cost and local money would be used for the remaining $100,000 of the $500,000 estimated construction cost.

Hickman said right-of-way negotiations are now in progress for the bridge approaches. He said the McDonough County Highway Department has also completed a design survey for the Blandinsville Township Bridge, for which construction is planned this summer.

The county engineer reported that required documentation has been completed for the 2013 construction of the Industry Township Bridge and the Township District #1 Bridge. Hickman said his department has also completed survey work, funded through the Illinois Commerce Commission, for approach construction at the railroad crossing located at 1700 East in Macomb Township.

The committee voted to recommend approval of a $34,250 contract with Hutchison Engineering for design work on the Sheepwash Bridge north of Bardolph in Mound Township. Hickman said the bridge has been closed, but that he anticipates receiving state and federal grants to pay for its reconstruction.

Also approved were recommendations to spend the following amounts for county aid to townships:

(1) $16,000 for construction of a bridge culvert in Sciota Township;

(2) $7,400 apiece for construction of two bridge culverts in Mound Township; and

(3) $5,600 for construction of a bridge culvert in Township District #1.

The county board will also receive a committee recommendation to allocate McDonough County's share of Illinois Motor Fuel Tax revenue, $625,000, to the county's annual maintenance program. Hickman added that a bid letting is scheduled for January 30 for aggregate materials to be used for construction and maintenance.

Hickman announced that winter weight limits on county roads would be in effect from January 15 through April 14. Haulers have been advised to monitor the county highway department website for announcements when weather and road conditions permit weights above the posted limits.

Crew supervisor David Cadwalader reported that the highway department aided the Emmett-Chalmers Fire Department last month by salting the roads into Flint Hills so equipment could be brought in to help fight a house fire in that subdivision.